After not seeing Xie Chong for many years, Yun Mo felt as if he had been through another world when he saw him.
Back in Beijing, Xie Chong was one of the few friends he got along with quite well.
"Xie Chong, it's been a long time!" Yun Mo rode forward on his horse.
Xie Chong looked him up and down. "Long time no see. I didn't expect you to still be alive!"
"Back then in the capital, there must have been many who wanted the Yun family dead! Didn't you hate warriors the most? How come you're leading troops now? Looks like your official rank isn't low either?" Yun Mo's lips curled into a nonchalant smile.
Xie Chong spread his hands, showing him his military uniform and armor.
"How about the Jianwu General appointed by His Majesty himself?"
Looking at the once carefree and spirited young man, now sitting on a tall horse, his posture as upright as a pine tree, his aura as vigorous as the sun, his eyes filled with determination and sharpness, he is mature and composed.
Yun Mo nodded repeatedly, "He looks even better than before!"
Hearing his praise again after so many years filled Xie Chong with immense joy and satisfaction.
After exchanging pleasantries, the two finally got down to business.
"Who is this?" Xie Chong looked at Lin Yinan and asked Yun Mo with a puzzled expression.
He couldn't understand why, with Yun Mo present, a woman would be chosen to lead the army.
Yun Mo raised his face, saying with immense pride, "She is my wife!"
“General Jianwu!” Lin Yinan nodded slightly to him.
Afterwards, both sides left some troops behind to clean up the battlefield. Xie Chong led Yun Mo and his wife into the city to discuss the next steps. As they left, he secretly gave Yun Mo a thumbs-up.
The soldiers then set up a well-maintained restaurant near the city gate.
As soon as they sat down, the two sides revealed their true intentions.
Lin Yinan and Yun Mo also learned from him about the court's movements over the past two years.
The Dongyue royal family, under the guise of purging the court of corrupt officials, was actually plotting a rebellion. Upon hearing this news, the ailing emperor died of anger.
Just when the country was in turmoil and the people were living in poverty, Prince Zhao, who was personally appointed by the retired emperor, stepped forward and no longer concealed his cleverness.
Unable to bear watching the empire built by his ancestors slowly perish under the encroachment of the barbarians, Prince Zhao took decisive and resolute action.
He swiftly purged the treacherous officials who controlled the court and took over the important responsibilities of the court; externally, he amassed troops to severely crack down on the Wang clan, led by various powerful families, who intended to seize power.
Wang's plot failed, but the Xie family, who followed the court in moving the capital to Jiankang, were not implicated.
Before the New Year, the young emperor died of a sudden cold.
The young emperor was not yet married and had no children. Under the earnest persuasion of his court officials, Prince Zhao officially ascended the throne and became emperor.
A new emperor brings a new court; when a new emperor ascends the throne, he will inevitably eliminate obstacles and promote his own cronies.
The Xie family was then given important positions by the new emperor. Xie Liang, the eldest son of the Xie family, was promoted to Minister of Personnel by the new emperor.
By this time, the Xie family had risen rapidly in the court, becoming a new aristocratic family that many officials vied to associate with.
Xie Chong was Xie Liang's nephew. He grew up in the capital and became acquainted with Yun Mo.
"The court is in dire need of talent right now. Why don't I write a letter to my uncle and explain this matter to him?"
"Absolutely not," Yun Mo politely declined.
Xie Chong asked, puzzled, "Why?"
Yun Mo said calmly, "The Yun family has taken refuge in the south and has not been involved in the affairs of the court. I hope General Jianwu will understand. Moreover, the person who killed 100,000 Hu soldiers was not me, but my wife Lin, General Lu of Cangwu County, and other noble families."
"Aren't you going to care about the injustices done to your grandfather, father, and elder brother?" Xie Chong asked, somewhat annoyed, looking at his indifferent demeanor.
"Their lifelong contributions and loyalty to the court have been erased and ignored. I don't want to drag my second brother and all his nephews into this mess. Now I'm a farmer, with three meals a day to eat, and I'm quite content."
Yun Mo is no longer the passionate young man he once was.
Lin Yinan gave him an encouraging look, like a warm spring breeze, which warmed his heart. Yun Mo took her hand from under his sleeve and intertwined his fingers with hers.
Xie Chong opened his mouth, but didn't know where to begin in offering advice.
He knew that if the Yun family wanted to regain the court's favor, they would have to pave the way with their blood and sweat.
Seeing that the two had finished their conversation, Lin Yinan took the initiative to speak, "General Jianwu, why don't we talk about the matters that need to be dealt with at the moment?"
"This general would like to hear the details."
"I protected the people of the two southern prefectures. The officials who will take office in the south in the future must be my people, and the military government must be taken over by us."
Xie Chong was so shocked by her words that he almost jumped up from his chair. "What, what are you trying to do?"
"I don't want to be a stepping stone for someone else!" Lin Yinan said, raising her cool eyes and looking at him with a somewhat aggressive gaze.
"I'll have to think about it." Xie Chong wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Of course, if the Xie family can profit from this, we will certainly not let your Xie family off the hook."
Seeing that he was still hesitating, Yun Mo leaned close to his ear and whispered something.
Xie Chong's eyes widened in shock, and he grabbed his hand tightly. "Is this really true?!"
Would I lie to you?
Yun Mo tried to pull her hand back, rolled up her sleeve and looked at the wound that had just healed, which he had scratched open again, and glared at him in annoyance.
Xie Chong was a little embarrassed. "Alright, alright, I'll write a letter back to my uncle right away."
Therefore, Pingdu and Linjiang counties were placed under the administration of Xie Chong.
After a short rest, Lin Yinan and his wife led their team back to Nanzhou Prefecture early the next morning.
Jiankang, the capital city.
Upon receiving a letter from his nephew Xie Chong, Xie Liang, the Minister of Personnel, rushed to the palace to meet the Emperor without delay.
Inside the study, Emperor Yongping stared at the letter in his hand for a long time without saying a word.
After deliberating for a long time, Xie Liang said nervously, "Your Majesty, the Hu people have long occupied the Central Plains of our Great Yan. Now is the time when the court needs capable people. I believe that we can reinstate the Yun family. The sons of the Yun family are all talented generals. If they lead the army, the recovery of the Central Plains will be just around the corner!"
"General Jianwu said in his letter that the Yun family only wants to live a peaceful, secluded life and has no desire to serve in government again."
Emperor Yongping threw the letter on the table and continued, "The late emperor was deeply saddened by the Yun family; it's such a pity to lose such a fine general. But this Third Brother Yun is lucky; he married a good wife!"
Xie Liang blinked and said, "This woman is brave and resourceful in leading troops. She was able to command the few soldiers in the southern region and Cangwu County in a short period of time to resist foreign enemies, wipe out 100,000 Hu troops in one fell swoop, and behead the Hu general He Xiong. She is truly a woman who is no less capable than men. She is a rare talent for generals and ministers!"
Emperor Yongping pondered for a moment and said, "Jianwu's letter said that Yun Sanlang was captured and seriously injured while protecting the people in Nanzhou Prefecture?"
Xie Liang looked embarrassed and said with some difficulty, "It is said that it has damaged his reproductive organs and he will be unable to have sexual intercourse in the future."
"Oh? What good suggestions do you have, my dear minister?"
"His Majesty is wise and benevolent, his heart is with the people, and his grace extends throughout the land..."
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